Galle (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Raymond Kingsley Wickramasinghe, Bishop

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 25 August 1893
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Colombo
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Sri Lanka
Square Kilometers: 5,544 (2,141 Square Miles)
Official Web Site: http://www.gallediocese.org/
Mailing Address: Bishop's House, Kaluwella, Galle, Sri Lanka
Telephone: (091)2234.256
Fax: 4385.602

Past and Present Ordinaries

Joseph van Reeth, S.J. † (11 Jan 1895 Appointed - 11 Sep 1923 Died)
Nicola Laudadio, S.J. † (28 May 1934 Appointed - 26 May 1964 Retired)
Anthony de Saram † (22 Mar 1965 Appointed - 28 Feb 1982 Died)
Don Sylvester Wewitavidanelage † (15 Oct 1982 Appointed - 1995 Resigned)
Elmo Noel Joseph Perera † (1 Jun 1995 Appointed - 11 Oct 2004 Resigned)
Harold Anthony Perera (15 Feb 2005 Appointed - 14 May 2009 Appointed, Bishop of Kurunegala)
Raymond Kingsley Wickramasinghe (27 May 2011 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
25 August 1893	Erected	Archdiocese of Colombo	Diocese of Galle (erected)
2 November 1995	Territory Lost	Diocese of Galle (Sabaragamuwa)	Diocese of Ratnapura (erected)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

1950 21,521 1,760,000 1.2% 19 25 44 489 15 150 16 ap1951

1969 25,624 2,557,110 1.0% 32 19 51 502 28 199 21 ap1971

1980 22,960 3,709,000 .6% 31 16 47 488 20 198 25 ap1981

1990 25,133 3,513,473 .7% 43 6 49 512 10 164 30 ap1991

1999 6,911 2,083,126 .3% 21 7 28 246 7 89 11 ap2000

2000 7,140 2,088,509 .3% 16 5 21 340 6 88 11 ap2001

2001 7,324 2,088,509 .4% 20 5 25 292 6 88 11 ap2002

2002 7,424 2,088,509 .4% 20 5 25 296 6 102 11 ap2003

2003 7,933 2,170,269 .4% 20 5 25 317 6 102 11 ap2004

2004 8,100 2,210,486 .4% 20 3 23 352 3 105 11 ap2005

2006 8,587 2,277,145 .4% 23 3 26 330 3 89 12 ap2007

2013 8,490 2,888,000 .3% 24 6 30 283 6 107 13 ap2014

2016 9,118 2,964,000 .3% 25 9 34 268 9 101 14 ap2017

2019 9,606 2,501,100 .4% 26 18 44 218 40 105 16 ap2020

2021 9,532 2,669,000 .4% 29 18 47 202 26 102 16 ap2022

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1950	21,521	1,760,000	1.2%	19	25	44	489	15	150	16	ap1951
1969	25,624	2,557,110	1.0%	32	19	51	502	28	199	21	ap1971
1980	22,960	3,709,000	.6%	31	16	47	488	20	198	25	ap1981
1990	25,133	3,513,473	.7%	43	6	49	512	10	164	30	ap1991
1999	6,911	2,083,126	.3%	21	7	28	246	7	89	11	ap2000
2000	7,140	2,088,509	.3%	16	5	21	340	6	88	11	ap2001
2001	7,324	2,088,509	.4%	20	5	25	292	6	88	11	ap2002
2002	7,424	2,088,509	.4%	20	5	25	296	6	102	11	ap2003
2003	7,933	2,170,269	.4%	20	5	25	317	6	102	11	ap2004
2004	8,100	2,210,486	.4%	20	3	23	352	3	105	11	ap2005
2006	8,587	2,277,145	.4%	23	3	26	330	3	89	12	ap2007
2013	8,490	2,888,000	.3%	24	6	30	283	6	107	13	ap2014
2016	9,118	2,964,000	.3%	25	9	34	268	9	101	14	ap2017
2019	9,606	2,501,100	.4%	26	18	44	218	40	105	16	ap2020
2021	9,532	2,669,000	.4%	29	18	47	202	26	102	16	ap2022

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Harold Anthony Perera (Bishop: 15 Feb 2005 to 14 May 2009)
Raymond Kingsley Wickramasinghe (Priest: 5 Aug 1989; Bishop: 27 May 2011 - )

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Nicola Laudadio, S.J. † (Bishop: 28 May 1934 to 26 May 1964)
Elmo Noel Joseph Perera † (Auxiliary Bishop: 17 Dec 1992; Bishop: 1 Jun 1995 to 11 Oct 2004)
Anthony de Saram † (Bishop: 22 Mar 1965 to 28 Feb 1982)
Joseph van Reeth, S.J. † (Bishop: 11 Jan 1895 to 11 Sep 1923)
Don Sylvester Wewitavidanelage † (Bishop: 15 Oct 1982 to 1995)

Diocese of Galle